Bay Ridge State Senator Martin J. Golden yesterday warned that new police reforms and some proposed criminal justice reform legislation could further erode police’s ability to do their job and lead to increased crime.
Golden, a former New York City Police Officer, made his comments following the murder of NYPD Officer Randolph Holder, the fourth city cop killed in the line of duty in the last 11 months.
“There is no reason that this criminal with an extensive rap sheet was on the streets of our City posing a threat to all citizens and police officers. The lengthy criminal history of this cop-killer includes assault, robbery, criminal trespassing and drug possession. I have longed maintained the belief that repeat offenders do not deserve an alternative
to jail, but my Democratic colleagues who controlled the Senate in 2009, when this horrendous law was enacted, believed differently,” said Golden.
Golden said the measures that were adopted into law at that time weakened the criminal justice system, making it possible for career criminals to see the light of day.
“I joined with my Republican Conference colleagues in opposing these bills at that time, and it is evident that those efforts were wrong. These provisions which upended the ‘three strikes’ law have caused crime to increase and have endangered law enforcement officers,” said Golden.
Golden maintains that the city should restore the previous practice of stop, question and frisk so to allow police the opportunity to better secure neighborhoods. There is no
doubt that the suspension of this policy has resulted in the uptick in crime and shootings in the City, which for many years has been the safest large City in America.
Golden also blasted the City Council for looking to create a publicly funded taxpayer bail program.
“I urge the City Council to immediately suspend these efforts and instead, focus on legislation that will make New York safer, not more dangerous,” said Golden.
“Public protection is about defending the people and the police, and that starts with strong policies and laws. The governor, the senate and the assembly must come together immediately to propose and pass meaningful legislation to make our streets safer,’ he added.
Golden’s comments were echoed somewhat by Democratic Assemblyman Bill Colton, whose district represents Bath Beach and part of Bensonhurst and Gravesend.
“The fact that four New York City police officers have been shot and killed within the past 11 months is unprecedented and this is a problem that must be addressed by us all,” said Colton.
“We must address the issue of illegal guns. This is a national issue, which extends beyond our streets and even into our homes. We must get guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals.
Moreover, since the latest restrictions on “Stop and Frisk” by the city administration and the Courts, the rate of police officer deaths by gunfire went up significantly. This shows that respect for police authority is fading and criminals are getting more brazen, which spells trouble not only for police officers, but also for all people of our great city. We need city leaders to step up and establish strong policies to remove guns from the hands of criminals – not to strip police officers of authority and undermine community respect for professional police activities,” he added.
